Bachelor of Music

The Bachelor of Music is offered full-time on-campus at the South Bank campus. You may choose to study courses at other campuses if or where the program structure allows.

In the Bachelor of Music program, you must maintain a full-time study load. If you have reasons why you cannot maintain enrolment in at least 30 credit points per trimester, you must seek approval from the Program Director to take a reduced study load.

Managing study interruptions

Leave of absence

Students undertaking this program may apply for a maximum of two trimesters leave of absence and prior approval must be obtained. First year Conservatorium students will not normally be granted leave of absence except on compassionate grounds.

Readmission

Students seeking readmission to this program require approval from the Program Director. If readmission is sought for Trimester 1, application should be made by the first week of August in the previous year. For readmission to Trimester 2 application should be made at least three months prior to the commencement of that trimester. An audition may be required.

Student Income Support

To be classed as a full-time student, you are required to enrol in a minimum number of credit points each standard study period. The minimum credit points for full-time enrolment in this program is 30 credit points.

Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 are deemed standard study periods. As Trimester 3 is a non-standard study period, continuing students moving from one year to the next will not be required to study during this trimester to be eligible for student income support.

Domestic students who commence in Trimester 3 may be eligible for student income support from the onset of study provided they are enrolled full-time in this study period.

Please refer to the Australian Government website for more details.

Work-integrated Learning (WIL) activities integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. The inclusion of work-integrated learning activities demonstrates Griffith's commitment to preparing its graduates for success in their working life. In this program, final year students commit to a project for an industry partner, working with them on their premises, usually for a period equivalent to 13 days over a trimester (one day per week). Due to the nature of the industry, placements can also be undertaken in intensive mode, such as a two-week event or project.

The program's strategic vision is to widen students' understanding of diversity in career pathways and to grow and enhance explicit industry benefits through better prepared graduates.

WIL is an elective set of courses for second and third year students. Students who opt to take an industry-oriented pathway take 3731QCM Music Industry Internship (WIL) A, followed by 3732QCM Music Industry Internship (WIL) B if they do two placements over two trimesters, and then 3733QCM Music Industry Internship (WIL) C if they do three placements over three trimesters. The earliest that students can take Music Industry Internship under normal circumstances is Trimester 2 in second year due to requirements of industry preparedness and having achieved certain learning goals prior to taking WIL.

Your career opportunities will vary depending on your chosen areas of specialisation. As a graduate of the Bachelor of Music, you will be prepared for a career as an instrumentalist or vocalist, or in many other areas.

Through self-directed project work, you will transition from student to professional life while still in the supportive Conservatorium environment. You will have opportunities to refine your skills, focus and target your professional options and gain first-hand professional experience in your chosen area.

You will have a clear understanding of what's required by instrumental and vocal ensembles and companies, orchestras, theatre, media, the entertainment industry and community arts.

As a jazz musician, you will be equipped to work at a high professional level in jazz, musical theatre, media and entertainment.

If you have trained as a composer, you may seek to establish an independent career writing or arranging for film, plays, television, concert performance or musical theatre.

As a popular musician, you will graduate with a high level of instrumental and musicianship skills and an extensive knowledge of the popular music industry, preparing you for a career as a soloist or band member.

As a Creative Music Technologist, you will be able to work creatively in producing, performing and recording music and applying emerging technologies to your work and that of other musical professionals. You may find career opportunities in music production, performance, multimedia, recording studios, education, music business, musical composition, sound design, theatres and performance venues, and in the games, media, publishing, performance and film industries.

Increasingly, the contemporary composer works in a multimedia environment and, appropriately skilled, has opportunities in a range of creative fields in the burgeoning new technology area.

If you have included pedagogy electives in your studies, you may be equipped to undertake instrumental or vocal teaching. If you complete a graduate entry teacher preparation Masters program following completion of the Bachelor of Music, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a teacher in Queensland.

Working with Children Check (Blue Card)

Students in this program MAY BE REQUIRED to undergo the Working with Children Check and be issued with a Blue Card before they undertake work experience or placements in professional settings.

Blue Card applications must be submitted online by the student via the Queensland Government Blue Card Services website. There is no fee for a student Blue Card.

Students who have successfully completed the requirements of the three-year Bachelor of Music (1419) with a minimum Grade of 5 in Performance Study 3 or Composition Study 3 and who wish to extend their engagement with Performance rather than graduate with the three-year qualification will be eligible to transfer to the Bachelor of Music in Performance (1413) or Bachelor of Music in Composition (1414).

Subject to admission criteria, graduates will also be eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Music (Honours) (2051) or Master of Music Studies (5298).